Feeding mechanism for printing presses



June 4, 1935. ERMSCHER FEEDING MECHANISM FOR PRINTING PRESSES Original Filed Sept. 23, 1951 '7 Sheets-Sheet 1 wil \i INVENTOR Hfl/MS/P/BOIEP BY g g f ATTORNEY June 4, 1935. I I H.1RMSCHER 2,003,364

FEEDING MECHANISM FOR PRINTING PRESSES Original E iled Sept. 23, 1931 7 Sheets-Sheet 2 fmoRNEYs June 4, .1935. H. IRMSCHER FEEDING MECHANISM FOR PRINTING PRESSES Original Filed Sept. 25, 1951 7 Sheets-Shet 3 Z BY I %%M ATTORN EYfi A June 4, 1935. HJRMSCHER FEEDING MECHANlSM FOR PRINTING PRESSES Original FiledSept. 23, 1931 7 sheets-sheet '4 INVENTOR Hill 5 xmvsmzzz ATTORNEYS June 4, 1935. H c E 2,003,364

FEEDING MECHANISM FOR PRINTING PRESSES Original Filed Sept. 23, 1931 '7 SheetsSheet 5 %/INVE INTOR June 1935- H. IRMSCHER 2,003,364

FEEDING MECHANISM FOR PRINTING PRESSES Original Filed Sept. 23, 1931 7 Sheets-Sheet 7 INVENTOR Patented June 4, 1935 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE FEEDING MECHANISM FOR PRINTING PRESSES Hans Irmscher, New York, N. Y., assignor to Millie Patent Holding a corporation of New 00. Inc., New York, N. Y., York 8 Claims.

The present application is a divisional application of applicants copending application Ser. No. 564,615 for Printing machine, filed September 23, 1931.

The present invention relates to printing machines and embodies, more specifically, an improved form of printing machine which is adapted particularly for printing on one or both sides of a continuous band or tape. More specifically, the invention embodies an improved printing machine of the above character which is constructed to print, upon one or both sides of a band or tape, subject matter at spaced intervals, whereby tags bearing such subject matter may be stamped therefrom in subsequent operations.

In machines of this character now available, the feed mechanism for advancing the tape through the machine is a source of frequent trouble and requires constant attention to maintain the same properly serviced.

In order that a machine may be provided to overcome the disadvantageous characteristics enumerated above, the present invention has been designed and an object thereof is to provide a printing mechanism for printing suitable legends or indicia at spaced intervals upon a continuous band or tape, such mechanism being provided with an improved feed mechanism for advancing the tape effectively through the machine.

A further object of the invention is to provide an improved feed mechanism of the above cha acter wherein the tape is engaged frictionally and advanced through the printing machine by a friction drive which automatically engages and disengages itself from the tape to advance the latter through the printing machine periodically.

A further object of the invention is to provide, in combination with a feeding mechanism of the character described above, a punching mechanism which is synchronously operated with the feed mechanism to perforate tape as it is fed into a printing machine in order to facilitate the subsequent feeding of the tape through the machine.

A further object of the invention is to provide an improved tape guiding mechanism and feed mechanism for advancing the tape through the printing machine in a plurality of successive stages.

Further objects, not specifically enumerated above, will be apparent as the invention is described in greater detail in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

, Figure 1 is a plan view of a feeding mechanism for printing machines, this Vi w showing the feed mechanism for advancing tape through the machine, as well as the tape guide and punching mechanism.

Figure 2 is a detail View in section, taken on line 2-2 of Figure 1, and looking in the direction of the arrows, showing the secondary tape feed ing mechanism.

Figure 3 is a view in end elevation showing the tape feeding mechanism for advancing the tape into the printing machine.

Figure 4 is a view in end elevation showing the tape feeding mechanism of Figure 3 in its tape engaging position, preparatory to advancing the tape into the printing machine.

Figure 5 is a plan view of the feed mechanism shown in Figures 3 and 4.

Figure 6 is a view in side elevation, showing a punching mechanism constructed in accordance with the present invention.

Figure '7 is a plan view of a portion of the tape after it has passed through the punching mechanism of Figure 6.

Figure 8 is a view in end elevation showing the printing machine constructed in accordance with the present invention.

Figure 9 is a view in side elevation showing the machine of Figure 8.

Figure 10 is a view in end elevation showin the punch and punch actuating mechanism of Figure 6.

In as much as the specific printing mechanism is shown and described in applicants copending application, above identified, the details thereof will not be described herein.

Referring particularly to Figures 8 and 9, the frame of a printing machine is shown at l, a power shaft 2 and driving pulley 3 being mounted thereon. The overhanging end of the power shaft 2 is journaled in a bracket as seen in Figure 1.

A countershaft 5 is journaled upon the frame and receives power from the shaft 2 by means of gears or other suitable driving mechanism.

The printing machine includes a reciprocable frame 6 which is journaled upon the frame I at I. A head or carrier 8 is mounted upon the end of frame 6 and the frame and head are provided with downwardly extending arms 9 which are engaged by pitmen II) which are journaled upon crank arms I l, eccentrically mounted upon heads [2, secured to the ends of countershaft 5. Rotation of shaft 5 thus reciprocates the head 8.

Ink rollers l3 are mounted upon a rotatable frame l4 upon which a sprocket I5 is secured. A suitable chain, indicated in dot and dash lines at I6 engages the sprocket I5 and a driving sprocket I! which is mounted upon the countershaft 5. An idler sprocket i8 is mounted upon the axis of the frame mounting 6 whereby arcuate movement of the arm or frame 6 is provided without disturbing the drive from the relatively stationary driving sprocket ii to the movable sprocket 15. A take-up idler sprocket i9 is mounted upon the frame i to take up any slack in the driving chain. In this fashion, reciprocation of head 8 is eifected simultaneously with the continuous rotation of the frame M which carries the inking rollers l3. Movement of the frame 6 is facilitated by means of spring arm 25 which is anchored at 2! to the frame of the machine and engages a fulcrum 22 mounted thereon. The end of arm 20 is connected to a rod 23-which is secured to the end of a substantially rigid arm 24, connected on the frame 6. Movement of the frame 6 is thus yieldingly resistedand the spring 20 serves as a counterbalancing mechanism to relieve the driving means of the Weight of the frame 6.

. Inking plates uponthe head. 8 are moved back and forth in aldirection parallel totheaxis of the head 8 by means of an axially movable rod 36, mounted upon the head 8. Axial movement is imparted to the shaft 513 by means of a link 36 which is journaled ecc'entrically upon a ratchet wheel 38 mounted upon a bracket 33 upon the frame 6. As the frame reciprocates, a pawl t3, mounted upon arm ii which is pivoted upon the bracket 39, engages the teeth of the ratchet wheel and effects rotation thereoii'the reaction to such rot'ationbeing transmitted to the bracket i and stationary frame I through an arm' i2 which is secured to thearm 4i and which is pivoted to a distance rod 43. The end ofthe distance 'rod 13 is anchored to the bracket i by means of suitable spacing nuts as and, in this fashion, reciprocation ofthe frame 6 effects the gradual back and forth movement of the said inking plates.-

The mechanism forfeeding thetape through the machine is shown in Figure 1 and includes a head 64 which is transversely mounted upon the frame I and slidable upon guides 65. Reciprocating motion is imparted to the head by means of arms 56 which are hinged to arms 6?, secured upon a rock shaft 68. The rock shaft 68 is journaled in the frame of the machine i and is rocked by any suitable driving means such as 69 and 88, Figure 9.

Upon the head 64 a shaft ii is journaled by means of standards 12, articulated pawls i3 being journaled upon'the shaft H and adapted normally to engage'the upper surface of the head 64. A set screw 74 normally spaces the pawl #73 from a link 75 and springlt maintains the elements yieldingly in a position shown in Figure 2. As the head 64 moves to the left, as viewed in Figure 2, the pawl 73 rides over a tape Ti, adjacentone edge of which apertures 2'8 have been punched in a manner to be described hereinafter. Movement of the pawls it in the reverse direction effects theengagement of theapertures 78 to advance the tape through guides which will now'be described. 7

Pivoted upon transverse frame members it are outer guide members 85. An intermediate guide member 8! is secured between the spaced outer guide members and springs 82 normally urge the pivoted guide members toward the stationary member. The opposed sides of the guide members are formed with grooves between which the tape Tl slides.

A primary tape feeding mechanism is shown at 84 and is actuated by a link as, connected to a crank arm 86 upon the rock shaft 68. Upon a guide 8?, carried by the frame 5 of the machine, a head 88 is slidably mounted, the head being provided with a horizontal table 8d upon which the tape ll rests. A bell crank arm 9i? ispivoted at 9! to the head 88 and its lower arm 32 is pivotally connected to the end of rod 85. The other end siiof the bell crank lever 98 carries a presser foot gages the stop plate 93 and presser foot 84 is lifted a from the tape ll.

Continued movement of the arm causes the head to be moved to the left until a reversal in direction of movement of the rod' 35 takes place. The initial movement of rod 85, during such reversal, causes the presser foot 95 to fall upon the tape 'i'i and press the same against the table 89. Continued movement of the rod in the direction shown by the arrow in Figure 4, causes the head 88 to'advance the tape until the reversal ofthe direction of movement of the rod 5 takes place. Toprovide suitable friction to prevent movement of the head 88 except when the presser foot 95 or the arm 92 engage the tape TI and stop plate 93, respectively, friction shoes 98' are carried by the head 88 and-are urged against the underside of the guide'8l by means of spring 89. to form suitable spring seats and adjust the pressure exerted upon the shoes 98. In this fashion, the band or tape is initially threaded through the driving mechanism shown in Figures 1, 3, and i and through the punch shown in Figures 1 and 6 to the feeding mechanism shown in Figure 2 which lies just above the upper extremity of Figure 1. i

As the tape is advanced into the printing machine by the primary feeding mechanism described above, one edge thereof is perforated at spaced intervals to enable the dogs '53 to move-the tape in a positive manner subsequently. The mechanism for perforating the tape is shown in Figure 6 and includes a bracket Mil which is mounted upon the frame of the machine I by means of suitable bolts 592. The bracket is formed with a horizontal punch plate iiBS'Which is formed with a recess it i to cooperate with a punch me. The punch N35 is carried ina holder IE6 which issli-dably mounted in a bracket I87,

secured to the bracket Hit by means of bolts Hi3.

Taps 563 may be provided An arm "35 is formed on the bracket it? upon 1 which arm a lever IE3] is pivoted. This lever is connected to the punch holder Hi5 through a suitable lost motion connection i l l and its extremity is secured to a rod M2 by means of a universal joint H3. The rod H2 isconnected through a universal joint i M to a crank H5 which is journaled upon the frame of the machine at-HB. The other end of the crank 5 i5 is connected to an eccentric Ii'l by means of a connecting rod H8. Movement of the eccentric M'i' is synchronized with the movement of the link 85 to depress the punch m5 during movement of the link 85 in the direction'of' the arrow shown in Figure 3. In this fashion, the tape is perforated during each pause in the movement thereof into the printing machine, such pauses being occasioned by the movement of the feeding mechanism in the direction of the arrow shown inFigure 3.

It will thus be seen from the foregoing description that a printing machine has been provided, wherein an improved feeding mechanism is embodied to feed a continuous tape through the machine in an effective manner and simultaneously perforate the tape along one of its edges. In this connection, the feeding and punching mechanism is designed to relieve the elements thereof from shocks and stresses to which such mechanisms have heretofore been subjected and the repair thereof is thus required more infrequently.

While the invention has been described with specific reference to the accompanying drawings, it is not to be limited, save as defined in the appended claims.

I claim as my invention:

1. A slide mounted upon a frame, an arm pivoted on the slide, means to reciprocate the arm in a plane parallel to the direction of motion of the slide, a stop on the slide against which the arm engages to limit pivotal movement in one direction, and an adjustable presser foot on the arm to engage the slide and limit pivotal movement of the arm in the other direction whereby the means to reciprocate the arm also reciprocates the slide when the arm engages the stop and the presser foot engages the slide.

2. A slide mounted upon a frame, an arm pivoted on the slide intermediate its ends, means connected on one end of the arm to reciprocate the same in a plane parallel to the direction of motion of the slide, a stop on the slide against which the arm engages to limit pivotal movement thereof in one direction, and an adjustable presser foot on the arm to engage the slide and limit pivotal movement of the arm in the other direction whereby the means to reciprocate the arm also reciprocates the slide when the arm engages the stop and the presser foot engages the slide.

3. A slide mounted upon a frame, an arm pivoted on the slide, means to reciprocate the arm, a stop on the slide against which the arm engages to limit pivotal movement in one direction, a presser foot on the arm to engage the slide and limit pivotal movement of the arm in the other direction, and a friction shoe on the slide to engage the frame.

4. A slide mounted upon a frame, an arm pivoted on the slide, means to reciprocate the arm in a plane parallel to the direction of motion of the slide, a stop on the slide against which the arm engages to limit pivotal'movement in one direction, a presser foot on the arm to engage the slide and limit pivotal movement of the arm in the other direction whereby the means to recipro cate the arm also reciprocates the slide when the arm engages the stop and the presser foot engages the slide, a friction shoe on the slide to engage the frame, and means to adjust the tension of the shoe.

5. A slide mounted upon a frame, an arm pivoted on the slide, means to reciprocate the arm in a plane parallel to the direction of motion of the slide, a stop on the slide against which the arm engages to limit pivotal movement in one direction, a presser foot on the arm to engage the slide and limit pivotal movement of the arm in the other direction whereby the means to reciprocate the arm also reciprocates the slide when the arm engages the stop and the presser foot engages the slide, and spaced friction shoes on the slide to engage the frame.

6. A tape feeding mechanism comprising a frame, slidable means on the frame, means to reciprocate the slidable means, means on the slidable means to engage a tape frictionally, perforating means on the frame, means actuated by the reciprocating means to actuate the perforating means to perforate tape fed from the friction means, a table, a dog on the table to engage successive perforations made by said perforating means in the tape, and means actuated synchronously with the reciprocating means to reciprocate the table.

7. A tape feeding mechanism comprising a frame, slidable means on the frame, means to reciprocate the slidable means, means on the slidable means to engage a tape frictionally, perforating means on the frame, means actuated by the reciprocating means to actuate the perforating means to perforate tape fed from the friction means, a table, a dog on the table to engage successive perforations made by said perforating means in the tape, said dog normally being urged against the tape by gravity, and means actuated by the reciprocating means to reciprocate the table.

8. A tape feeding mechanism comprising a frame, a slidable means on the frame, means to reciprocate the slidable means, means on the slidable means to engage a tape frictionally, perforating means on the frame, and means actuated by the reciprocating means to actuate the perforating means to perforate tape fed from the friction means.

HANS IRMSCHER. 

